A PRUDHOE dancer is poised for stardom as she makes her stage debut with the English Youth Ballet.

Caitlin Humes has been selected to perform alongside international principaldancers in Swan Lake.

Caitlin, aged 12, has been dancing since she was just four but the Sunderland Empire production will be her first big show.

After her mum, Julie, spotted an open audition for the English Youth Ballet, Caitlin became one of nearly 250 young dancers auditioning on stage at the theatre.

Caitlin said: “It was quite exciting but also really nerve wracking.

“It was an experience I will never forget.”

The young ballerina was selected to join the company to perform as a courtier in acts one and three of Swan Lake.

Caitlin, who is in year seven at Ovingham Middle School, has been attending rehearsals at Walker Technical College ahead of the production which will take place on June 16 and 17.

The soloist and corps de ballet roles in the production of Swan Lake will be performed by 100 North-East dancers aged between eight and 18.

One of EYB’s principal dancers, Oliver Speers, who will star in the production as Prince Sergei, has been coaching the young dancers in rehearsals.

He said: “The young dancers are treated like professional dancers during rehearsals – we work them hard, but the results are fantastic.

“They learn what the life of a professional dancer is like.

“They are living their dream and they just love it.”

Caitlin, who is also a second dan black belt in karate, said: “The rehearsals are four to five hours at a time, so they’ve been hard but I’m learning a lot.

“I’m so excited for the production; it will be my first big show.”

Mum Julie added: “She has always been very committed to her dancing.

“It’s her first audition and I think she has surprised herself.

“We’re very proud of her.”